The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-17
DEATH OF r. ANDRUS.
Close OF the Life Work Of One of Indiana's
Most Prominent Methodist Preachers.

Most Prominent Methodist Preachers.
Rev. Rueben Andrus D. d. one Of the most
widely known of Indiana's Methodist preachers,
died this morning, at twenty minutes past
o'clock, at his residence, No. 457 Central avenue,
had been daily expected for over month, but
he possessed wonderful vitality, and his consti-
tuition yielded slowly to the ravages of disease.
DR.. Andrus was born at Rutland, Jefferson
county, New York, JAN 90, 1924 At the age of
ten years he removed with his parents to Lock
port Niagara county. in the same State, going
from there to Bernadotte, Fulton county. Ili-
nois. early IN April 1888, his location being
upon a Farm some miles from the town.
The house he lived in was plain
log cabin, with loft for storeroom, where he
and his two brothers slept. He had three
brothers and three sisters There were no pub
lie schools in the State then, and what were open
taught the simplest kind of spelling, reading and
writing, and sometimes geography or arithmetic
to the s'rule of three" DR. Andrus attended one
of these schools for seven weeks in the win
ter, walking two miles to attend In
the winter of 1904 he attended school
at the Canton, Fulton county, Ohio, Academy
taught by Baptist minister named Campbe
There he received instruction in arithmetic
geography and algebra His studies in natural
philosophy, Latin. astronomy and history were
specifically learned without teacher, his great
study time being the night. On the 28th of
November, 1843, he entered the Illinois College,
at Jacksonville. travelling two days to reach his
destination. He was not possessed of
more than eighteen dollars in cash; and so gave
promissory note for his years room rent, and
he took barrel of -four and some meat, which
he was to cook himself for his meals. He was
compelled to leave college the next spring owing
n a.
sumed his studies determined to finish his
education. He supported himself all this
time at college by ehopping wood,
and also paid his tuition in the
! some way. Incredible as it may seem to those
who have never practiced close economy in
food, that which DIR. Andrus subsisted upon did
not cost more than twenty cents a week for the
whole four years. In speaking of this period of
elf-denial he pointed to it as a proof that
any young man who is fully in earnest can make
the collegiate curriculum if he will, the only
essentials being, as he expressed them, ssDivine
favor good health and a fixed purpose His
entire college course was period of poverty and
of unbroken health. His simple diet and hard
work met the conditions of the best physical
strength and endurance.
When his college studies tnol1up so much Of
his time that he could not earn the
| amount of his incidental expenses, he
was in despair and was preparing to
leave the college when he was appointed In
charge of the mathematical room. The death Of
| his brother, in 1845 necessitated his staying at
| home that year, and consequently he fell behind
| in his studies. He resumed them in 1846 and
continued until admitted into the senior class in
| 1848. In the same year he was appointed tutor
of McKendrick College, Lebanon, ILL.,, and prin-
cipal OF the preparatory department. Hero he
was greatly devoted to his work. and aisst9Qk
interest in the religious services, preaching once
mouth in the college chapel He next taught
school for about year in Greenfield. Ill, He
was married in December. 1849, to Emeline
Louise Louise. Van Pelt, Of Naples, Ill, who died Of
Andrus resigned his school in Green
field, and became an itinerant preacher.
in what was known as the Decatur
admitted on trial to the Illinois Conference In
the meantime he became principal of the
preparatory department of the Illinois Wes-
leyan University. During the vacation he
1852. he was stationed in the Springfield mission.
But the church was soon after sold under
mortgage. and was used for educa-
tionsl purposes, Or. Audrus becoming prin-
| Central Academy. In 1853 he was called to the
pastorate of church in Beardstown. Ill, and
in 1854 was stationed in Decatur county. He
next became president of the Illinois Central
| Female College, and held the position until Sep
| TENDER, 1856
In September, 1860, he was appointed pastor
OF the First NJ E. Church in Springfield. and
from '62 to ga was pastor of church in Bloom
| ington. He was transferred 20 the Indiana Cou-
| ference in 1867 becoming pastor of Trinity
| Church in Evansville, where he remained
three years. In 1870 he was transferred to Merid-
| ian-street NJ. E. Church. in this city. He was
| elected president of the Indiana University in
1872. succeeding DR.. Thomas Bowman, and re-
| signed In 1875. He again entered the ministry
and his more recent pastorates werelEvansvile,
from 1872 to 20. Central-avsnae Church. Indian
apolis, 1877; Rushylle. 1880-al On account of
| ill-health he WAS compelled to cease his
church work for a time, but resumed in
| 1885, when he became pastor of the Methodist
| Church at Franklin, continuing there until he
was again compelled TO leave the pulpit in the
fall of 1856, after which ne came to this city.
! He continued rapidly to grow worse in health